Why do so many gas stations remove those little latches that allow you to pump gas without squeezing the handle the whole time? Some gas stations in rural areas still have them in place but you hardly ever see them on city gas pumps. I have asked dozens of people about this and the reasons ranged explosive danger to weird gas stealing schemes. Does anyone know the real scoop? This has been bothering me for a while.
WAGs:
[ul]
[li]They’re too cheap to fix them when they break[/li][li]They’re afraid of spillover[/li][li]Their cut off valves aren’t working well[/li][li]Fear of some weird gas stealing scheme[/li][/ul]
I don’t think it would be very effective at preventing spillover. I, for one, jam my gas cap in the handle so that I can go about my business (cleaning my windows, etc) while the gas is pumping. Isn’t there more of a chance of spillover that way then if they just would leave the little latch things in place?
Well, speaking as one who lives in the suburbs of DC and fills up in the city once in a while, I can say that they little hands-free switch is still alive and well. My guess is they probably break somehow and the stations just don’t care enough to replace them or the broken parts.
My WAG is that they’re afraid of someone leaving the pump unattended while filling up, then the handle gets knocked out and squirts gas all over the place.
Here in Michigan it is a result of local fire regulations. Some communities allow them, and some don’t. My friend owns 2 gas stations and I asked him why 1 had them and the other didn’t. He said it was due to the Fire Marshall. Some think that they are a hazard as the person might walk around or get back in the car, thus disobeying the sign to not leave the pump unattended.
After my experience this winter I wish they would all be taken off the market. I was pumping gas into my car and I had the pump set with the latch. My car tends to send backwash into the shutoff valve when I pump gas, so I have to leave the spout about 40% of the way into the tank. Well, the spout fell out of the car and because the valve was locked on it spewed gas onto the ground and onto me . About two litres leaked onto the ground and onto my clothes. I ruined a pair of gloves and a winter coat. I’m just glad there wasn’t a running car around or I would have been blown up. It took me a month to get over my apprehension when I gassed up.
Keith
Im pretty sure in some auto parts store I saw one you could buy & use. One of those nifty little things you can use to keep the gas going if it doesn’t have that thingy on it.
Litres? My god, Canadians!! Run!!
I told you guys on another thread, and I’ll tell you here.
Those thingies you put use to gas into your tanks are not pumps. They’re dispensers. The pumps are way down there in the underground tanks.
Peace,
mangeorge (Pump policeman)
It’s definately some varying local fire ordinance. I’ve seen pumps (sorry, dispensers) not only without the latches but also with signs claiming it to be ilegal to wedge your gas cap into the handle. When its 10 below zero I wedge away andI leave the engine (i.e. heater) running! Some people are such babies…
Her in the S.F. Bay Area I would guess that 90% of the gas stations that I frequent (and I frequent many of them frequently) have those little latches.
I think that fire code thing and lazy owner operators may be to blame.
I’m in L.A., and I have yet to go to a gas station without one of those little latch thingies.
In oregon they won’t let you ‘dispense’ your own gas. You’ve got to wait for the nice man to come over and ask you ‘whatcha need’. I always reply ‘gas’ I’m sure they’re not very please with me.
Its interesting. In washington, I pull up and wait for some guy to help me out… slowly realizing… i’m on the wrong side of the boarder. Thought should think more often.
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They break pretty easily.
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Some, if not all, stay clipped on after the pump, yes pump I’m not a pedant, has stopped. The next poor soul who pushes the lever up might find himself hosing his car or himself down with gas.
Well, you’re right there, Horse. The pump does stop. When the dispenser shuts it off.
This is fun, 
Peace,
mangeorge (pump pedant)
I asked the same question a few months ago to the cashier at my local gas station. He told me the following (though I can’t vouch for its veracity): Those thingamagigs became illegal after an incident where a woman forgot that the hose was still connected to her car, & she drove off… & BAM! she got blown up to kingdom come.
I’ve seen a guy pull out of a gas station while connected to the pump, unforutantly there wasn’t even the tiniest explosion, the hose broke off in the proper space. Just this, “Now I have to explain my stupidity” look on his face.
My dad told me that anecdote, too. He said the explosion was “huge”, but hurt no one. He focused on the amount of money the customer had to pay in damages; something like $10,000.
Minxmom: With all due respect, if your remedy for the absence of a latch is unsafe, maybe you shouldn’t be jerryrigging gas nozzles.
The explosion thing sounds like a UL. I’ll query the gang at snopes.com and get back to yas.